Sunday, May 8, 2016

Yesterday, as a member of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), I
joined a big crowd for a preview of the newly expanded seven-story
building, chiefly to accommodate the vast and important Doris and Donald Fisher Collection.

Behind the existing brick-colored and black and white tiled facade, a taller wing like a white ship was added, like a backdrop, or a enveloping protective hull.

Some of the best feature of the older building was preserved, such as the signature black-gray tiles, transparent gangway; the changed main entrance staircase was a major failure - either inviting or comforting, nor flashing or grant, and had been aptly compared to IKEA.

New wing was definitely airier and even spiritual; the old wing became decidedly cramped and old, by contrast.

I was glad to encounter some of my favorites, such as this lovely portrait by Max Beckmann and some Paul Klee:

Frau bei der Toilette mit roten und weissen Lilien , Max Beckmann

Blüten in der Nacht (Blossoms in the Night), Paul Klee

A very familiar sculpture, Sequence, by Richard Serra, seen on Stanford Campus for many years, in the open air, reflecting changes of time and lighting, was on display in an indoor setting, which was still great to view, but robbed if some of the magic:

Sequence, Richard Serra

Then, in both old and new wings, which sprawled like a labyrinth, I encountered many interesting works, some of them had been featured in a special exhibit to introduce the Fisher Collection.

The best two rooms were the great Anselm Kiefer works collected by the Fishers, monumental, profound and deeply moving: